[The outcome of triplet pregnancies at the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, in the last 15 years]

Abstract

Introduction and methods: The authors analysed the data of 307 live-birth newborns and premature infants who were born from 104 triplet pregnancies between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2005 at the Semmelweis University First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Aims and results: In 86% of the triplet pregnancies conception took place with the help of assisted reproduction technology, the number of which has rapidly increased in the last 15 years. 60% of the triplet pregnancies ended before the 34th week of gestation and the birth weight of more than one third of the infants was less than 1,500 grams. Among the infants treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit the most common diagnosis was connatal pneumonia, which was followed by hyaline membrane disease due to the low birth weight. In the past 15 years, the mortality of triplets was at 6.5%. The birth weight of those who died before reaching the age of six months was, with two exception cases, below 1500 grams.

Conclusion: According to our data the chance of survival of triplets was poorer in category of birth weight under 1000 grams than those of premature infants born of single pregnancies with the same weight. In vitro fertilisation in the case of triplets increases the occurrence of premature deliveries and the number of infants with very low weight. Long-term monitoring data reveals that in such cases, neurological lesions and the occurrence of a chronic disease, which greatly influences the future quality of life for the child as well as for its family, is more frequent between the very low birth weight infants.